Trump says he may pull Blanche’s AG nomination until dissenting senators leave office

By Michelle L. Price and Alanna Durkin Richer The Associated Press July 30, 2026 - 9:13 am President Donald Trump said Thursday he may withdraw the nomination of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche for the permanent post unless two Senate Republicans drop their objections. Trump described Blanche as “a STAR” and said he will keep him in the acting role until Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina leave office. He posted on his social media site: “I have no objection to temporarily withdrawing Todd’s name. If they do not do the right thing, and putting him back after Cornyn and Tillis are out of office.” Cornyn and Tillis, who are set to leave office next year, have demanded written assurances ending the so‑called Anti‑Weaponization Fund created to settle Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns. The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed a planned vote on Thursday to advance Blanche’s nomination after Cornyn and Tillis said they are withholding support without written guarantees from Blanche regarding the disputed settlement of the IRS suit, which they say would grant the president and his family protection from tax audits.